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S2n Congress, 1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. f Mis. Doc.
2ii Session. J \ No. 98.
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES
LIFE AND CHARACTER
MELBOURNE H. FORD,
A REPRESENT.\TIVE FKOM MICHIG.\N,
DEHVEREIi IN THE
House of Representatives and in the senate,
iX . FIFTY-SKCOND CONGRESS.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1893.
E
Jlcunlird hy the IToiiup of Jxeprmrntalirin {the Srnntr concurrhifi), That thoro
111' jiliiitrd of the eulogies drlivrnd in ('iiii;;nss n\>o>\ tlii" lliiii. MlM.Uoi liXE
H. FoHl), lafr a I{e)ircsentative from llic Stati- nf Michigan, cinlit tli<iiisaiHl
copies, of xvliicli two tliousand copii-s shall hi? ileliveinl to tliu Ui piisriita-
tives ami Senators of that State, anil of the remaining nnmlier. two thou-
sand eopies sliall he for the iisi' of the Senate and four thousand copies for
the use of tlie House. And of the ipiota of the Hou,se of Keiiresentatives,
the Puhlic I'rinter shall set aside lifty copies whieh he shall have houkd
in full morocco with gilt edges, the same to be delivered when complete
to the family of the deceased. And the Secretary of the Treasury is
hereby directed to have engraved and printed, at the earliest day possi-
ble, a portrait of the above to accompany .said eulogies.
Agreed to in the House of Kipresentatives February 14, 1893.
Agreed to in the .Senate Kebruaiy 11, lHi)'S.
AUG 6 ma
D. ora
■ ^
PROCEKDINGS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEATH.
December 19, 1891.
Mr. Chipman, of MicJiigan. Mr. Speaker, in accordance with
tlie request of the delegation from the State of Michigan, tlie
duty devolves upon me to announce to this House the death,
on the21stdayof Aprilhist, of Hon. Meluoukne H. Ford, a
member of Congress from the State of Michigan. He died very
suddenly, in the fresh maturity of his very remarkable powers ;
and in his death the brilliant future, of which his past career
gave promise, has been cut off. His obsequies were attended
by a multitude of citizens of the thriving and beautiful city in
which he resided, and by representative men not only from
the State of Michigan but from other States of the Union.
This is not a proper occasion to enter upon a eulogy of Mr.
Ford's career. He served in the Legislature of his State. He
served on this floor, where he was known, respected, and
beloved by mauy gentlemen who are members of the present
Congress. I will content myself at present with simply and
reverently announcing to the House the sad fact of his death,
and on another occasion will ask that opportunity be given to
members of this body who admired and loved him to pay
tribute to his memory. I ask the adoption of the resolution
which I send to tne desk.
3
4 I^oceedings in the House of Representatives.
The Clerk read as follows :
Whereas the House has hoanl with pioronml. sorrow of the death of Hon.
MEMioruNK H. FoKi). latii a Ivcinrsi-ntativc from the State of Miehifjaii :
Thnefore,
li'i'sulicd. That as a mark of icsprct to his memory the House do now ail-
Joiini.
Rmolved, That the Clerk idmiiniuicate these resolutions to the Senate.
Tilt' resolutions were adopted; and, in at'cordauce therewith,
tlif Mouse (at 12:.'57 p. in.) adjourned until Wedne.sday next.
Apkil !t, 1.S9L'.
Mr. Belknap. Mr. Si)eaker, 1 ask for the rejiular order.
The Speaker. Tiie dlerk will read the speeial order for this
day.
The Clerk read as follows :
Remlved, Pliat .Saturday, April i), he^iuuinf; at 2 oVlor-k p. lu., be set
apart for paying tribute to the memory of Hon. Mei.iiourve H. Foitn, late a
member ofthe House of Kepresentativos from the Fifth district of Michigan.
Mr. Helknap. Mr. Speaker, I offer the resolutions whieii I
send to the desk.
The resolutious were read, as foUows:
llemlved, That the business of tlic House be now suspended, that oppor-
tunity may be given for a tribute to the memory of the Hon. Mei.ikh'UXK
H. Foui>, late a Ueprosentative from the .State of Michigan.
Uenulrvd, That, as a partieular mark of respect to the memory of the de-
ceased, and in recognition of his eminiMil abilities as a public servant, the
Hou.se at the conclusion of these nn^morial proceedings shall stand ad-
journed.
IleKolvi'd, That the Clerk cummMuicatc thesi- resolutions to the Senate.
Iteaitlved, Tliat the Clerk lie instructed to send a copy of thes«- resolu-
tions to the familv ofthe deceased.
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford,
Address of Mr, O'Donnell of Michigan.
Mr. Speaker, the frequent assignment of days in which the
course of business is suspended in the House of Ke])resenta-
tives to pay tribute to the worth of departed members of the
Fifty-second Congress who have gone to the silent continents
of eternity furnish impressive lessons of the mutability of
human affairs, the uncertainty of life, and the certainty of
death. Since my service in this House many have been sum-
moned from the activities of being to the stillness of the grave.
What a roll of names that can make answer only from the
silent depths of memory! In the present Congi-ess what a
membership have gone to the solemn shades !
Since Michigan became a State five of its members in tliis
House and two Senators have died in oflice. The latter were
Kinsley S. Bingham, one of our early statesmen, who died in
1861, and Zachariah Chandler, the great war Senator, unex-
pectedly taken from earth in 1879. Of the members of the
House whose terms were closed by death were Edward Brad-
ley, died in 1847, before taking his seat; Wilder D. Foster,
who passed away in 1872; Alpheus S. Williams, summoned
hence in 1878; Seth C. Moffatt, suddenly called in 1887; and
the fifth and last of the list of Michigan's representatives
released from duty by death was Melbourne H. Ford, whose
memory we honor to-day, and who was numbered with the dead
less than a year ago, April 20, 1891.
Mr. Ford was born in Saline, Mich., June 30, 1849. My first
acquaintance with him began in my own city, where he was
employed as a clerk. I remember that the duties of the clerk-
ship were performed ftiithfully and acceptably by the youth.
When he had given up the humble position he departed, and
(5 .Iddrcss of Mr. O" Dovucll, of Michigan, on the
I did not meet him agiiiii iiiitil the winter of 1887 in this IFall,
when he came to enter npon the dnties of a Rejjreseutative in
till- rit'tieth (^)ngress.
^Tr. Ford eouimenced his edueation at the Agri(!ultural f 'ol-
lege at Lansing, and while there received the appointment of
naval (•a<let at Annapolis. lie pursued the studies at that
historic school for a few months. The young man desired to
serve his country. lie had not attained the years on entering
the Academy to be enrolled among the country's defenders,
Init after a time he Joined the naval forces, and saw a little
service before the ordeal of war was fully ended. He was per-
mitted to be a participant in the great struggle that made
ambition virtue and rciiaid the nation m following the profes-
sion for which it had i)artially educated him.
When peace was restored lie (juitted the Navy and turned
his talents to the conipiests of peace, studied law, and was
admitted. He never j>racticed that profession, liut served
many courts in another capacity than that of advocate or coun-
sel. He ranked among the most proficient of steiiogra])hers
and enjoyed tiie work. He lield hut two elective positions, both
legislative. In 18S4 he was chosen a nieinhcr of the lower
house of the Michigan Legislature, being accredited to that
branch by the great manufacturing city of the State. He soon
gave evidence of decided ability, his service being so accept-
able that he was rewarded in 1886 by an election to this House.
During the term here he exhibited application and industry,
aeeom))lishing much for his constituency and district. He
sought l)ylaw to stay the tide of immigration of the unwortliy
to (uir shores; to elevate American citizenship, and debar dan
gerous elements coming here; to close the door to tlinse not
fitted for our institutions. His design was misunderstood. He
had reared a structure to protect his country. This was lev
eled by those whom it was intended to assist, and in the ruins
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 7
was the political hope of the promoter of the legislation. He
learned the instability of public opinion ; that it is ever chang-
ing. He accepted the verdict with coinpo.sure.
In the Legislature of Michigan the members of the political
party with which he was identified paid him the compliment of
making him their candidate for United States Senator.
He retired from this House at the end of his term, disap-
pointed at the lack of recognition on the part of the constituency
whom he had desired to benefit. The interregnum between
elections iiassed, and in 1S'.)0 he was again nominated for Con-
gress, to share in the .astounding victories of his party in that
year of surprising results. Public opinion that two years be-
fore had, cast him down now triumphantly designated him
again as a Representative in Congress. He stood once more
in the sunshine of success. The lesson of public life is difficult
to con by those whose philosophy is the welfare of others.
The issue of that contest restored Mr. Ford to his place among
the leaders of his party in the Peninsular State and he planned
to serve his people more efficiently than before.
In the brief period of forty-seven days after the begimuiig of
his tenure as a member of the Fifty-second Congress he was
.suddenly summoned from earth by death, the grim messenger
striking the fatal blow without warning, (^n Sunday night,
April 19, 18!>1, he sought repose, and in that strange and
solemn interval of time, the twilight of the morning, in the
violet dawn, he was stricken with the malady which in a few
hours removed him from the scenes of earth. He never recov-
ei-ed consciousness from the attack. He saw not the sorrow-
ing wife and children and grieving friends about that couch of
death, but (juietly stepped from the harassing cares of the
present into tlie realm of eternal rest and peace.
The 20th of last April was a day of sadness at Grand
Rapids, his home. The wave of sorrow was felt all over Michi-
8 Address of Mr. O' Donnelly of Michigan^ on Ihc
j>aii. At the fniieral the aifection of the jx^x^ple and tlnir
mouriiinj? for his (hMiiisc were manifested in manyways. The
Lefrislaturc of tlie State attended in a body, bnsiness was sus-
pended, and as the renuiins lay in state at tlie City Hall, amid
the rtoweis of awakeiiinj;' sprinj;-, thousands \vitli moist eyes
looked njwu the pladd countenance of the dead.
The heieavement was ex])ress(Hl so <rencral that it seemed
tliose seah'd ears miglit hear. Amid the somber trap]>in{(s of
woe, the quiet procession of bereaved friends and acquaint-
ances, as I looked it seemed to me there was that strange re-
flection of alight that nevci' was on land or sea touching and
brightening the still features into a look of hope and peaceful
joy.
A great city's heart throbbed with grief that he was taken.
The inanimate form was conveyed from its home on earth to
its final home, followed by a great c<mcourse, and in the silent
city, on that April day, when nature was awakening in the
vividness of renewed life, when the long day of the year liad
dawned upon spring, all that was mortal was tenderly laid
to rest by loving, fraternal hands; the grave closed over this
young life. At the obsequies the workingmen of the city re-
quested that the factories be silent that day in order that they
nught pay their tribute to the memory of one they esteemed .so
well in life. I believe our dead friend would have asked no
sweeter rosemary for remembrance tlian this act of tiie indus-
trial forces at his home. Could he have looked down from the
calm heights of eternity he would have realized that useful
lives here are not forgotten.
Mr. Speaker, as I saw those nmrks of respect to his memory
in that great mart of trade, while gazing upon the coffined
lineaments of our friend and associate, there came to me the
tender thought once spoken of another:
Tlimi Ciiiiirst inti> tlm world \v«'r|iiii;;. wliili- all around tlu'e wore smil-
ing, and thou leavfst tlir world sMiilin'4. wliili- all aliont tlice an- in tears.
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 9
Mr. FoKD lived uot cjiiite forty-two years. lu this limited
period he accomplished much. In the swift pilgrimage ''from
the rosy dawn of birth to death's sad night "' he wrought for
others more than for himself. I knew him well during his
service here, and soon discovered his strong convictions on
public, questions, and his consistent advocacy thereof. This
spirit distinguished him to the end of his too brief life. His
tastes were social as well as literary, and those who knew him
here were inspired with confidence and friendship. His work
in this Capital won success, gained by ability, hdelity, and
industry.
Reflecting over the vanished life now passed on, let us
remember, as was said by Lucretius centuries agone:
Life is given to no one for a lasting i)ossessiou ; to all for use.
^Ir. Speaker, I have sketched the life and public service of
our departed associate, how he labored for his people and the
nation. His strong character, enlarged views, application, and
native ability displayed while a member here brought him rec-
ognition and prominence in the country. Those who noted
that career as it developed in this Hall lament that he was too
early summoned to the other world by death.
In paying this tril)ute to my dead friend and colleague my
mind recalls a solemn scene in this Chamber on February 29,
1888, when he spoke words of sorrowing regret over the death
of another departed memlier from llic\iigan, Mr. Mofi'att, who,
like the subject of our service today, had crossed the dark
river and entered the portals of eternity. He, too, had been
almost as suddenly summoned from life. We looked upon him
one day well and strong, and in a few hours we saw on his
lace the wondrous seal of everlasting peace. In ]\Ir. Ford's
eulogy of imr dead colleague he uttered that gem imbedded
in the language of every people, " say naught of the dead uii-
10 Address of Mr. O' Donnelly of Michigan^ on the
less godtl." Ill that fitting address he foreshadowed liis belief
in tlif future life in these words:
That thoi'e is a lierinil'ter every man, it seems to me, must believe. I
can not cnnceive hiiw auyoiio with hnmaii instincts can think otherwise.
If thire exists a jieison who honestly believes that when his eyes are closed
in death nothin-; riMiiains, then, I say, such a person is to be pitied. Can it
be that at the conelusi<ni of man's existence on tliis jilani't lor a compara-
tively iuliuitesimal period of time — can it be, I say, that when dust is ren-
dered into dust, all is ended f No.
No word comes back. We know not what awaits us. Still, I have some-
thing here in my innermost soul which tells me that this life is not the
end; that beyond all this we h.ive a wider, a hii^her, a nobler <li'stiny.
There lies in the liuman breast a somethin}? which says, '■ This is not all."
What an eiicourafiin;; hope, what a iU\ine thing it is for this world, this
belii'f in a future existenic.
To repeat the words of our departed friend, spoken here
four years since, for him we trust in that "encouraging hope"
he gave of his "belief in a future existence" and are glad-
dened by the conviction tliat witli liim it is well. In the celes-
tial economy no ray of light is left to wander aimlessly. His
good deeds are treasured in the archives of eternity. We
rejoice that back of death's semblance is the potency of a
splendid new birth.
I have read that "man's best monument must be found in
human liearts that swell at mention of his name, but si)eak
not in a imblic place." How true is this. (Jan we receive a
finer garland than is woven from the uiueinembered acts of
kindness ? lluiuan sympathy is like the summer rain " which
makes the fields it hastens to bright and green."
This young life is closed. We pause today to speak of the
work he undertook, the tasks he accomplished, of his best en-
deavor. As the sketch is completed we invoke a benediction
from the worlil beyond, turning to those tender words of New-
man, which are held hopeful tor the dead and helpful and
worthy for the living:
Leiul. kiiidlv Lijrht.
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 11
We stand dumb in decipbering the mystery of death— why
this life was so soon and so suddenly abridged. It is not given
to us to explain wliy this career, so well endowed by nature
and so full of promise, should be thus early terminated. Tliis
problem for centuries has not been solved.
Our friend and colleague is no more. For those who remain
the star of the future which shines in the horizon is Hope;
there is never more night than day.
And now we leave him in his dreamless sleep. Farewell!
Sleep 'till the shadows take
Their eudless flight;
Until the morning lireak —
Good night ! good night !
Address of Mr. Youmans, of Michigan.
Mr. Speaker, I can not permit this opportunity to pass
without paying my tribute to the memory of Melbourne H.
Ford.
In reviewing the life of Mr. Ford, length of years— the
allotted measure of existence — is not a part. Keither is his that
fame which comes from long service, faithful ability, ripened
experience, political sagacity — that tardy acknowledgment of
great qualities. A sudden flash across the political horizon,
then as suddenly eclipsed. Serving only in the Fiftieth Con-
gress, yet in that Inief time he made his name a household
word. Mr. Ford's sympathies were not so much with the
prosperous as witli his fellow-citizens in the more humble
walks of life. His whole aim was to enno'jle and elevate cit-
izenship, to place it on that high plane which would insure
permanency and safety to our institutions.
In the swarming millions flocking to our shores lie saw dan-
ger unless the baser elements could be excluded. He sought
12 Address of Mr. Yotimans, o/Afichigaii, on Ihe
a remedy, and was made cliaiiiiian nf a select cdiniiiittee "to
iiiquiic into tbe alleged violations of tlie laws prohibitinj;- the
iniiioitatictn of contract labor, i)an])ers, convicts, and otlier
classes." I need not say how well that work was done. The
startlinj;: evidence disclosed was coninicnted on by the press
tliroiighout the land. .VIniost with one voice a correction of
the evil was demanded.
lOlcctcd to the rifty-second Cougress, he liopcd to complete
tiic work already so far advanced. But suddenly he dropi)ed
the burdeu of life; that work was left f(u- others to complete,
and when completed it will be a monument to him outlasting
"Storied urn or animated bust."
In Michigan Mr. Ford always ]>ossessed the contideiu'e and
regard of his party, and in 18S9 they honored his courage aud
ability by making him their candidate for United States Sen-
ator. Butfewmen have climbed higher iu so short a tinu-. The
characteristic of Mr. Ford's public career was perseverance, an
inflexible pursuit of well-considered i)olicy. In the more inti-
mate relations of life he was cheerful, uniforndy kind, and gen-
erous. Uis friends were not only the prosperous, but there
were many in the more humble condition of life who looked on
him not only as their champion but their friend.
His sun had not reached the meridian : in his early manhood,
at his home in (iraiul Kapids, iu the forty-second year of his
age. on April L'O, 1891, "he was, and then was not."
Mr. Speaker, I have been impressed with that passage in
Forster's Life of Goldsmith describing his funeral :
ThiTe wrrc {jiithcivd in his rimms the most <listiii;riiislu<l men <il' theajje;
but ou tlii^ slairwa.v Icatliii;; tn liis mollis iu I.aiiili'» Court there was weeii-
ing and mourning by a erowil of the poor anil unfortunate who hail lieen
rei'ipicuts of his liounty anil hail hist tlieir only frienil.
So, too, at the funeral of Mr. I'oiJi). distinguished men from
all i)arts of the great and prosperous State of .Michigan were
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 1 3
assembled; but there, too, was many an liuiublc friend monrn-
ing him.
It was so sudden. They liad looked forward to a hmg and
brilliant career; surprised and sorrowing that so early in life
the "pale horseman" had crossed his path and beckoned him
to enter the Valley of the Shadow, the opening of which is an
other morn than ours.
Address of Mr, McMillin, of Tennessee.
Mr. Si)eaker, through seven terms it has been my lot to
watch the comings and goings, the daily walk, the success or
failure, of those whom our sixty millions of people send to rep-
resent them in this Hall, and I can truly say that in all that
time I have seen no young man come here who seemed more
readily to comprehend the high responsibilities devolved upon
him, or who more intelligently and more assiduously dis-
charged those duties than did the noble liepresentative whom
we mourn to-day. He came at that time of life when all is
buoyancy, all hope, all anticipation.
As has jiist been stated by his distinguished colleague [Mr.
Youmans], he realized the dangers that threatened his coun-
try, and notwithstanding the trepidation in which others had
shrunk from those dangers before him, and in which others
might be inclined to shrink from them around him, he came
boldly to the front and determined to try if it were possible to
enforce the laws of American citizenshij) so as to keep out that
incursion of criminal and other classes against whom the laws
had already set up barriers, but barriers which were being con-
stantly overridden. His action in that regard is well known
to the country.
I remember that again, when the tariff bill was up for con-
14 Address of Ml . McMi/liii^ of Tcini(ssci\ on tlic
sideration, he proposed to place upon the free list an important
:iiti(lc of iiiannfa(!tuie — German plate glass. He came here
from th»' heart of a {jreat maniifacturinfi community. Tlic
beautiful city in which he lived had hccn originated and sus-
tained and made i)rosper(ms by manufactures. I remember it
was whispered to liim that probably the course lie was taking
was not the best to commend him to those who believed in a
systeni of tariff laws supposed to be inimical to his proposition.
In a conversation tliat I had witli him he said: ''I care not
what the effect on me maybe; I know that it is rii;lit and
that greater prosperity will come by reasons of such an enact-
ment.'' His arguments were so cogent that they convinced liis
associates and liis proposition was nnide a part <»f the bill of
that year, and. although that bill did not become a law, if he
were here to-day he would ascertain that wirliin less than six
weeks there have been petitioners to the number of 4(»,0(H)
asking that this Congress do wluit he attempted to do.
^Ir. Speaker, those of us who knew him well and kn<'w him
but to love him have lost nuu li. His State has lost more,
because to her he was not simply an associate, a friend, but
f)ne of her pillars and stays. P>ut his country — the extent of
which he fully comprehended, the importance of whose free
institutions hatl a dwelling i)lace in his heart and an intelli-
gent dwelling place in his head — that great country which he
served with such distinction here, has been also a sufferer in
this coninioii calamity.
I know not how his last hours were .spent. I know noth-
ing of those expressions concerning the future that have been
commented upon by his colh^ague who first spoke [Mr. O'Don-
iiellj. I'.ut if a man is to be judged, as we are given to hope
he will bi- judged, by every good deed done in the body — and
of this I have no doubt — his lot will be a hai)i)y one in the
hereafter. A i)assage that has stnuk me as very forcible and
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 15
beautiful is that between lou aud Olemauthe, where she asked
him, when devoted to death, trembling- before its uncertainties
and moved by the sorrow of the coming separation, whether
they would ever meet again. You remember that in substance
he replied:
I have :i8ko(l that dreailful question of the stars that are eternal, of the
rivers that everlastiu^tly How, but tliey were all, all silent. But now, as I
gaze into thy beautiful eyes and behold the depths of tliy ]iure soul. I know
there is that there which can not wholly perish. We shall meet again.
So, those who knew the honorable life of our departed friend,
his intelligence, his soulful nature (if I may use that expres-
sion), liis comprehension of every obligation that rested upon
him, his high endowments in all those tliousaiid elements that
go to make man the greatest of created beings, must hoi)e and
feel that there was that there which can not wholly perish,
and that we shall meet again.
Address of Mr. Hayes, of Iowa.
Mr. Speaker, it is not my intention to attempt to pronounce
any eulogy in the ordinary sense of that term upon Mr. Ford,
and even the perhaps necessary details upon these occasions
may well be left to his State colleagues; but from the stand-
point of personal friendship, and in viewof the high esteem and
regard in which I held him and do hold his memory, I can not
let the occasion pass without expressing my never-ceasing sor-
row at his untimely death aud paying a tribute to his memory.
We never met until we came together in the Fiftieth Con-
gress, but, owing to the facts that we were born and reared in
the same locality, were connected by many associations in
Michigan's history, and had a host of mutual friends aud ac-
quaintances, we soon came together and became the closest of
1 fi Address of Mr. ChipmaUy of Michigan, on the
friends. AfttT sucli Irieiidship for over four years, I can well
say of him that lii' was }i;«^iu'roHs to a fault, noblo in every
([uality and instinct, honorable always, and one of that rare
class of men whose friendship never faltered.
From a public standpoint he had not only brains, but the
courage of his convictions, iudoniitablc will, ceaseless enerity.
untiring industry, and with a suavity of manner and force and
cloipUMice in speech that made him carry his points. This
combination of good qualities made liis future a bright one
foi- himself and full of promise to liis people.
In his death his country, his State, his i)arty, and his con-
stituency sutfered an irre|)arahle loss.
Address of Mr. Chipman, of Michigan.
Mr. .Speaker, a year ago at this time the news was tiasiied
throughout the ytate of Michigan that tlie lion. Mklboi'RNE
H. Ford was dead. It was unexi)ected, and iu that great
Commonwealth it produced a painful shock; and soon at his
•home, on tlie banks of the beautiful (Jrand Kiver, the people
of the State gathered together from all sections, the high and
the low, the rich and the poor, men in othcial positions and
men from the humblest walks of life, and there, amid the
wailing of funeral marches, the tears of sorrow, and the flowers
of affection, they buried him. They left him in the kindly
arras of Nature — to the sunlight and the breezes, to mother
Karth herself.
What manner of man was lie who was (consigned to the tomb
on that day? He was alert; he was decisive; he was a man
of correct thought and of correct methods in public affairs.
He was a man of firm convictions; and it must be said to his
credit, as it is to the credit of every man of whom it is true,
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 17
that he did not stop to determine whether those convictions
were popular, but only as to whether they were riglit. And
so it happened that in his younger life when he became a mem-
ber of the house of representatives of the Michigan Legislature
he distinguished himself by an effort to restore capital punish-
ment ill that State.
That effort I did not approve of; but as to the learning, the
ability, and the zeal with which he pursued it, there can be no
doubt. It attracted a great deal of attention to him, for the
reason that in that great Commonwealth there is practically
but one opinion on the subject, and it is that the taking of a
life for a life is still murder. So that he bravely opposed him-
self to the prevailing sentiment of the people and espoused a
cause which he knew to be unpopular. This is true heroism in
a public man ambitious of public preferment.
Long before he came to this House he was a consistent tariff
reformer. Living in a manufacturing district, and in a niauu
facturing State, above all in a wool-producing State, he had the
courage of his convictions, and never for an instant hesitated
to pursue the path of tariff reduction to which his judgment
impelled him. At that time, Mr. Speaker, his position on that
question, as it had been upon other questions, was not a popu-
lar one; but he clung to it bravely and steadfastly until he be-
came a member of this House, when, as you kno\y, and as we
all know, he still upheld the principle for which he was con-
tending.
During his membership of this House he became interested,
as has been said here already, in the (piestion of immigration.
The evils growing out of the coming of foreigners to our shores
struck him, as they have struck others, as being of a most seri-
ous nature, an* while I do not believe that he had any preju-
dice against any man or any nationality, or any race who came
among us, still he felt, and he ielt rightly, that this great couu-
H. Mis. 98 2
18 Address of Mr. Chipmaii^ of Michigan, on the
try sbould not be nuule the asyluni for th«' lialt. tlie lame, the
blind, tlic vicious, and tlie criminal; in a word, of tiic classes
which other nations desire to get rid of.
I am sure he felt that the honest, the healthy immigrant was
a welcome gue.st among us, and his arms were spread out to
embrace every such man in the folds of American citizenshij).
lint he had none of tlie mawivish sentimentality — an instance
of wliicii has recently occurred in this House — whidi induced
him tt) believe that there is any tie of brotherhood, that there
is any claim of philanthropy, which demands of tlic liard-
workfng people of this country that they shall share with
everybody who chooses to come to us their means of subsist-
ence, ami in this way diminish the wages of tiieir own labor
and the comfort of flieir own homes.
There is a wrong idea abroad on this .subject. We are tolil
that we recently violated a treaty with China. Mr. FoRD felt,
as I feel, that there is no ])owcr, that tliere can be no power,
whether it is called the treaty-making power or other power,
which will pernut foreigners in immense numbers to come into
tliis country as mei-e denizens, as temporary sojourners among
us, and pluck from our labming i)eople tlie appropriate rewards
of their labor.
The idea is monstrous. No treaty ever meant that. No
treaty ever could mean that. And while it is i>erfcctly i)roper
that the old law ma.xim lecognized by the common-law writers
should prevail, .and be resjtected and enforced if necessary by
treaties, there is no law, there can be no law. theic must be no
law by which we share our crust with any and every person,
and any and every nation, without regard to their intelligence,
their morals, and effect of their presence upon the general tone
ofnianliood in this country.
He was unfortunate on that occasion, unfortunate jierhajis in
having entered upon the investigation carried on by the com-
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 19
mittee which took his name, because it led to miscoustructiou
and subjected liiiii to criticism which liis motives did not justify.
He was unfortunate, too, in that the measure which lie brought
into the House as the result of the investigation was not accept-
able to the House; but iu the main, in his noble desire to i)ro-
tect the workingmcu from improper and ruinous competition,
he was right, and sooner or later he will receive the just meed
of fame which belongs to being right upon a sixbjectof so great
importance.
It is among the mysteries, ]\Ir. Speaker, why a man should
live to the age of promise and be taken from us when he was
taken. It is inscrutable, and we wonder what has become of
the knowledge he has garnered, of the subtle machinery of his
brain, of all the forces which made him what he was, and it is
only with the certainty that in nature there is no cause with-
out an effect, that there is no mistake and no accident in any-
thing which nature orders, that we may find the solution, if
we can lind a solution, of that enigma. We may ponder on
what might have been. We may wonder what would have
been the setting of this sun which rose with so great bright-
ness if it had run its course to the twilight hour.
But after all this is mere vague speculation. We can know
nothing, we can only hope. . And yet, Mr. Speaker, iu this sea-
son of bud, of sunlight, of bloom and of balm, of resurrected
nature, we are taught that death is but the portal of another
chamber of life. There uuist be a hereafter. Careers of such
promise, cut so short, would be a mistake in the plan of na-
ture if there is not. This knowleilge garnered, these abilities
so subtly fashioned, must have an expansion and a field some-
where in the illimitable future.
And so it is not given to us to know whether death is the
enemy of man, or whether it is a ministering angel, bearing
him to vaster opportunity and to greater usefulness. But I
20 Address of Air. Whitings of Michigan^ oii the
liuiiibly liope, Mr. Speaker, tliat that grave by the side of the
beautiful river is not the jmson house of our friend; tliathe has
burst the earthly certMiients of that tomb, and that in that other
state where eternal opportunity must be n'iven all nn'U the vir-
tues whicli characterized him here have brighter, greater, hap-
pier play, and that all that was earthly and all tliat was
wionu ill his eiiaracter here droi)pcd from him ''like a worn-
out letter wiiich his soul lias broke and thrown away." Happy
will be the man who can shed the dross of passicm and earthly
weakness and dwell in the realms of liojie beyond the firave,
habited in manly virtue and nncloudcd intelligence.
Address of Mr. Whiting, of Michigan,
Mr. Sjieaker, words can but feebly convey to the iiieriibeis
of this House the real sorrow and appreciation of loss whicli
the sudden death of Mr. Foed brought, not alone to the people
of Grand Rapids and his district, but to tlic jieople of tlie
State at large.
I believe that 1 speak within bounds when 1 say that a gen-
eral sentiment prevailed throughout the State that he was the
most promising young man in Micliigan. and that a Itriglit
future full of usefulness and honor was before him. Tiiese
facts, Mr. Speaker, intensify the sadness of his untimely
death and remind us of the importance of the present iioni-.
^ly acquaintance with iiim was confined mostly to my asso
ciations with him as liis colleague in the Fiftieth Congress.
We often eoiisulted each other upon public matters, and I can
now clearly recall the honest earnestness of his manner when
gi%ing expression to his views, and his solicitude that a wi.se
regard for all should govern his action. I recall his buoyancy
of spirit, his fondness for public life, his ease and adaptability
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 21
to work assigued to him, and liis active participation in all
that transpired upon this floor.
I recall the tribute of confldeuce and love so recently and so
generously bestowed upon him by the people of his district,
and the pleasure that was in store for him and his cheerful,
loving wife, in again renewing the many cordial and happy
friendships of the two short years before, and so today am
doubly saddened in contemplating the change. His mortal
career ended, his life work done, and his friends sorrowing;
bnt with it comes the reflection and consciousness that an All-
wise God, not man, judges the frailties and the virtues of
mortals, and that His Son has said :
Inasmuch as jf ha\'e doue it uuto one of the least of these My brethren,
ye have done it uuto Me.
To his bereaved family we can give the assurance that we
loved him, and appreciated his worth; and we can offer the
consolation that his love and lidelity to his fellow-men, exem-
lilified in all his public acts, will stand as a legacy greater, than
riches and more valuable than length of days.
Address of Mr. Weadock, of Michigan,
Mr. Speaker, Napoleon said: "All of us are needed a little;
none of ns are needed much." I might paraphrase this and
say that each of us is needed but little in the great arena, of
the world, but there is a circle in which each one is needed
very much indeed. And in the wider assemblage of friends
who mourn the departure of our deceased colleague there is a
small family circle that can never be the same again. There
is a widow, and there are orphans, who will miss as long as
they stay on earth the kind and affectionate love and compan
22 Address of Mr. Weadock^ of Michigan^ on the
ionship of the husband and father, and no tiopliy ot flowers,
no studied eulogy, and no lionor that may be i)aid to our de-
l»arted brother can ever atone for the h)ss wliicli iliey have
sustained.
Now, it is said of so nniny that tliey were born and they
died. Unless more can be said of a man than that he was
liorTi and died, it wei-e better that notliinj; siiould be said; but
sueh is not the case of our departed eolleanue; an<l wiiile it
may be proper to note the princi])al facts of liis life, we (h) it
more for the pur])ose of calling attention to his life woik than
for the mere ])urj)oses of biographical data.
Mr. Foiiu was born in Saline, a snnill village in the «'onnty
Df Washtenaw, near the city of Ann Arbor, the seat of the
great University of ^licliigan. At 10 yearsof age he removed
with his family to Lansing, the capital of the State, then a
struggling village in the wilderness, now the bright and
thrifty capical of a great and prosperous State. He was edu-
cated at the Agricultural College of that State, a fert- miles
distant from the city of Lansing, and one of the prinid monu-
ments to the care which Michigan gives to the diversified in-
terests of her people. Uoru too late to take a part in the re
bellion, he enlisted near the clcse of the war in the United
States Navy, and served for a brief period.
He was attached to the lMiro]»ean s(|uadron, which gave him
the advantages of travel and that knowledge of men which is
only gained by contact with them, and that love for American
institutions which can best be strengthened by travel and
observation among the jieople of other lands. As the years
grew on he studied law with the firm of Longyear & Seager,
in the city of Lansing; but he did not then undertake the
practice of that profession. Later on he began the practice of
the law, being associated with a leading firm in his home at
Grand Kapids.
Life ami Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 23
How well lie studied and how closely and analytically Le
mastered the great prineii)les of law is shown by the fiict that
while yet a student he prepared a work entitled " Ford's Legal
Analysis," which may be found in the Library, and which
shows a comprehensive and very clear understanding of the
great principles which underlie the system of jurisprudence.
He then turned his attention to the study of stenography, aTid
became one of the most expert in the State. He was stenogra-
pher of some of the principal courts of Michigan ; and that is
a very important calling, one requiring skill, honesty, and
integrity in a marked degree.
In 1884 he was elected by the Democracy to represent the
city of Grand Rapids, which then constituted the first district
of Kent County, in the State Legislature. He was appointed
upon the committees on j)rivate corporations and on the uni-
versity, two very important conuiuttees. He was faithful in
his attendance upon the sittings of the Legislature, and espe-
cially watchful of local interests. A member of the larger
house, the first occasion when I saw him was in that body.
He then introduced a bill for the restoration of capital punish-
ment in Michigan, which had been abolished many years, ex-
cept for the crime of treason, for which ofiense it still exists
on the statute book of that State.
That bill was introduced a few days after the beginuiug of
the session of the Legislature, prescribing the punishment of
death for murder in the first degree and one other heinous
offense which, under our statutes, may be iiunished the same
as murder. As one gentleman has well said, public opinion .
was believed to be against capital punishment, but that may
be a misfortune, because I think the ott'enses named in the
Ford bill can only Vie adequately punished, so far as they can
humanely be imnished, by death. The house of representa-
tives passed the bill by a vote of 59 to 29, and with the senti-
24 Address of Mr. JVcadock, of Michigan^ on the
luent of the State diviilcMl, ])frhai)s more than one-half ajjainst
capital piinishineiit, tlu' house voted for it.
This certainly was a si<,nial triumph for a younj;' iiieniber,
serving his first term in the Legislature. The bill failed in
the senate of the State, and did not liecomca law. He turned
his attention also to the legislation for caring for juvenile
otteiiders, a field which invites tlie .serious thought of every
statesman, wlio feels tliat the laws relating to young rriminals,
and their detention and i)unishmeut in our jails and prisons,
as managed at the present time, make them schools for crime
rather tliaii places for the puni.shnient and reform of offenders.
The nuinici]>al courts of his own city also received his care
and attention, and he succeeded in passing a bill which very
largely added to their u.sefulness. Another law which he cham-
pioned wasone to i)revent frivtdous ai)peals to thesuprenu^ court
when the amount involved was less than $100. Throughout
tlie State of Michigan there are a number of abstract officers,
who charged large rates for the abstracts which they turnished
concerning titles to land. He recognized that these abstracts
of titles .should belong to the ])ublio, should be provided at pub-
lic expense and furnisiie(l at cost to tlie peo]ile. To that meas-
ure his earnest attention was given; it was anotlicr move in the
direction of relief for the people whi;'.h they had a right to ex-
l)ect and which it would have been a pleasure t-o him to achie\^e.
That is another thing that among the nniny acts of his life
endeared him to everyone who knew him.
In this House I shall say but little with reference to his <a-
reer. It is known to many who are still here. Many gentle-
men who served witli him u])on his most important comnuttee —
the Ford ('ommittee on Immigration — have already gone to
their reward. A few days ago we listened to eulogies on one of
them, I""rancis 1>. S])inola. A bright young man from IS'ebraska,
the late Representative Laird, a Michigan boy. who had gmu'
IJfc and Character of Melboitrne H. Ford. 25
to the West and was returned here to represent his people, was
one of his dear friends. Another bright and able gentleman,
the very pink of courtesy-in this House, Gen. William H. F.
Lee, was also one of his near neighbors on the floor of the House.
The able leader of this House, iVIr. McMillin, has expressed
himself so well in respect to the ability of Mr. Ford as a mem-
ber of Congress that it would not become me to say anything
further in that connection.
In the campaign of 1888, when Mr. Ford was a candidate
for reelection, he met i)erhaps the most terrific opi)osition that
ever was arrayed against any candidate for Congress. TheMills
bill had operated with particular severity against ^Michigan,
and in the campaign of that year the jiersonal popularity of
3Ir. Ford and his personal following were not sufficient to
stem the tide, and he was defeated, but in the succeeding cam-
paign the same friends and the same following still stood by
him, undismayed by the defeat, and he was elected a member
of this body.
In 1887 he was the candidate of his party for United States
Senator against Hon. James McMillan, receiving every vote
of his party, an honor which he greatly prized. His last polit-
ical service was to act as secretary of the State convention of
his party.
Death came to him suddenly. He had spent the evening in
communion with his family, and had retired to rest in his usual
health; but before the next morning's sun arose, his lips were
sealed forever. Here is one of the fatalities almost connected
with the life of public men. They live at such a high tension,
their energy seems taxed to the uttermost, so that when the
death blow does come, it comes very suddenly. It came ':!0 to
Adams, to Hendricks, to Chandler, to Windom, to Caroent-er,
to Beck, and many other gentlemen whom I might name.
26 Address of Mr. Weadock^ of Michigan^ on Ihc
Cicero said :
801110 men iii;iko a wcuiiaiiish complaint that it ih a j^rcat misfortiiue to
dii' bi'lViiT (iiir time. 1 wonld ask what tiiuo? Is it that of natnrc? Hnt
slu' inilciMl lias lent ns lil'c as we ilo a sum of money, only no oeitain day
is tixi-d for payment. What reason tlien to complain if she deinuiidti it at
pleasure sinee it was on this eondition that you reeeived it.
It may l)t> well for u.s to rt'iuciiiber it, for it may come to us
just as suddenly as it came to liim; and we sliould be able to
say with Hamlet, before the duel with Laertes:
If il lie now. 'tis not to come; if it lie nut to come, it will lie now; if
it be not now, yet it will comc>; the readiness is all.
And .so let us say of iiini as he said of another, Hon. Seth
C. Mottatt, a former ineniher of this House from the Stati' of
Michiffan: His uuMuory will not die. The fiiends who loved
him in life will revere his memory in death: the aet.s of his life
will be Judjicd with clearer judgment than they could possibly
have been in life.
Let me say, in conclusion, as was said by him in liis conclu-
sion of his eulogy of Mr. Mottatt:
Our friend will not be forgotten. His friends will ever keep his mem-
ory fresh in their hearts. And when the i;lorious summer comes and the
gra.ss f;rows f^reen and beautiful and the Michij;an roses blossom on his
{{rave, although his lips will be hushed in death, yet the tender blades and
the perfume of the (lowers will speak of him, and to those who knew him
best will seem to say, "Beneath here sleeps one who was kind and noble
and true."
We can say this with all sincerity and truth of oui- departed
colleague. It is a pleasing thing to know that he believed in
the future. There is a remedy for all the dissijijiointments of
this life in the belief in immortality, and that the higher life of
man is extended beyond tliis e:irth. And we can siiy of him
who has solved the great mystery of life that we join with
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 27
him ill his belief iii iminortality, and we hope that he has gone
to a better land, to that abode —
Where love hath put oft' iu the laud of its birth
The staiu it had gathered iu this;
Aud hope, the sweet singer, that gladdened the earth
Lies asleep iu the bosom of bliss.
Address of Mr. Belknap, of Michigan.
Mr. Speaker, we have set apart this day, according to a cus-
tom that has prevailed from time immemorial in the House
when one of our members has been removed by death, that
the surviving members may pay just and proper tribute to the
dead.
^Melbourne H. Ford, at the time of his death, was a resi-
dent of the city of Grand Rapids, Mich. Born iu Saline, Mich.,
June 30, 1849; was educated at the Michigan Agricultural
College, and at the United States N^aval Academy at Annap-
olis, Md. He served in the Navy, enlistiug there as an appren-
tice September 10, 1804, and served on the Sabine and the
Colorado, and was discharged May 7, 1867. He was then ap-
prenticed a cadet at the Naval Academy June 21, 18G7, and
resigned on the 8th day of January, 1808.
Returning to the State of Michigan, he became official
stenographer to several of the courts, meantime studying law.
He was in the year 1878 admitted to the bar, but did not
practice law until a short time before his death, but continued
the profes.sion of stenography. In the year 1885 he was elected
a member of the State Legislature for the term of two years,
and was then elected a niember of the Fiftieth Congress, and
iu that Congress served with iidelity upon the Committees on
Territories and on Military Aftairs, and as chairman of the
28 Address of Mr. /hi knap, of Michigan, on the
Select Committee on Contract Labor. This coiiimittec was
created to iiuiuire into the viohitioiis of tlie hnvs pnthibitiiig
the importation of contract hvborers, and it was in this work
that he attained i)r((minenee.
The character of the immigration from all the countries
of I'^urope to this country had liccome one of universal com-
ment. Tiie cities of the country, botii East and AVcst, wen-
being rapidly filled with paupers and criminal classes of the
countries of the Old World, becoming an unbearable burden
\\\w\\ the people of our land. They tilled the charitable insti-
tutions of the different communities. The prisons were full of
them, and the costly machinery of the courts rajndly became
a burden too heavy for the taxpayers to bear. And nut only
were the cities infested with this undesirable class of beings,
but the country districts were becoming unsafe on account of
the tramps who roamed about robbing and often murdering
the defenseless people.
It was a well-known fact that European governments by an
organized system were sending their criminals to this country,
and not only the criminals, but the idiotic and insane as well.
The ship that came freighted witli a thousand hone.st people
would also contain a hundred others who at their very tirst
ste]! upon our shores became a burden and a nuMutce to our in-
stitutions. Of this class many came here witli no other design
and having no other object in view.
It was this threatening cloud, this plague, that seemed to be
surely undermining the jjcople of cnir own country that brought
]\Ir. Foud's energy to the relief of tlie Commonwealth, t^uick
to perceive the danger, he juit the wheels in motion that are
still turning. Starting slowly at first, like the wheels of a large
engine, they have gained in sjteed day by day until it seems
the problem wliether our own peojile are to be enabled to enjoy
this grand country is nearly solved.
Life and Character of McUnmrnc H. Ford. '2!>
Laws aud rules have grown out of tliis ayitatiou, this iuves-
tigatioii, so that at tlie present time many of the undesirable
classes are prevented from disgracing our soil by their pres-
ence.
7
Tis sad that Mr. Ford could not have lived to see the
results of his work, to see the promise of the day when the
ship coming to our shores with a thousand souls shall contain
but law-abiding and self-sustaining people. He expressed a
true statement, and one in the interest of all patriotic people,
when he said that immigration should be controlled by the
General Government, aud not by any one State. That tin-
subject of immigration was one that affected all our people
and was a fit subject for Federal control.
He was defeated for reelection in the Fifty-first Congress,
and two years later was elected to the Fifty-second Congress,
but was suddenly stricken and died at his residence in the
city that delighted to honor him, on the 20th day of April,
IS!)!. Never did people feel more keenly the loss of one of
their own than did tlie people of the Fifth Congressional dis-
trict of Michigan.
He was to them a brother. They had found in him a friend
whose heart overflowed with generosity. His friends love to
think of him and his genial ways. Those nearest to him will
never lose \\\Q sad pleasures which come from the lecoUection
of scenes brightened by the sunny side of nature he always
presented. I'ersonal characteristics drew friends to Mr. Fokd ;
his individuality kept that friendship.
It was with deep sorrow and regret that the people cf our
State heard of the death of my friend aud predecessor, and to-
day the hearts of the people of the State are full of sorrow and
synipathy for the bereaved widow and children, whose hus-
band and father was cut down in the vigor of his manhood and
in the midst of his activity and usefulness. His death is
30 Address of Mr. Belknap^ of Michigan, on the
deci)ly deplored by his coustituents and by the State which
he reineseiited in pait with iiiiiloiil)ted ability as a inemlicr of
this House. But lie is j^oiie, .Mr. .Speaker, and how soon we
will follow none of us kuow.
To all appearances one day before his death Mr. Ford ini};lit
eonnt upon a most enviable future public life. He had an ad-
miring, un(|uestioning constituency; he had laid broad and
deei) tiie foundation for wide influence in the State. To the
ordinary \ie\v few iiifii had better promise ot' a far-reaching
political career, but no man, Mr. Speaker, with whatever eagle
eye he may have at the ocean of the future, can tell when his
voyage may be interrupted. He of whom wc si)eak to-day was
suddenly taken from his hij;li vantage ground, and in what we
call his untimely eclipse went out whatever there njjglit have
been for him otherwise of glory and honor to conu'.
If he had a fault it was diu' to his generous nature, liiswai
heart. He studied to please men, not to displease them.
He often wronged himself in an eltort to satisfy those, wl
called for his assistance. Wiien a man has been standing for
many years in the tierce storms and lights of political contro-
versy it is generally forgotten that he has any individuality,
private life, or character, excei)t such as lias been imposed
upon him l)y jHilitical allii-s or oijptments. But in the rough-
and tumble battle of i)olitics ami servitude to the i)eoi)h' his
most pleasing trait was his social, genial manner. Always
cheerful ami humorous, he tried to strew the jiathway of his
friends with tiowers.
The l)est i)ortions of a man's life are the Ifttle unnumbered
acts of kindness and charity that om' tinds opi)ort unity to
bestow every day in the eour.se of iictive life. Some men tire
out, some men wear out, as the days fly and the years pass by;
some men go backward, ov niop behind in the race of life;
some grow dull and prosy as tiicy grow in years, while others
grow youug iu action and in heart as the battles of life by day
m
lO
Life and Character of Melbourne II. Ford. 31
and moutli are met. But an intelligent people will never
willingly let die tlie deeds, the kind acts, and the good words
of an honest man. Wheu a num's days are numbered there
comes after his death a judgment.
Nature and sotaety pass in a kind, yet in a just, survey upon
eaeh completed life. However, in this world we live in deeds,
not years; we live in thoughts, not l)reaths; in feelings, not
figures. He lives most who thinks most. He who acts the
best feels the noblest. Our deceased friend counted life by the
heart throbs, and not by the measured standard of months
aTid years. To all appearance he had just reached the sum-
mit of his strength. He seemed (^(luipped to undertake labo-
rious tasks; never so well fitted to serve his constituents and
his country. He did not perceive the enemy that was watch-
ing his every step and his every hour of life. To him the end
seemed far distant. He thought to see the sun go down in the
evening, the flowers to wither in the fall, the river to be fro-
zen iu the winter; not that the sun should go down at noon,
and the flowers wither in the summer, and the stream of life
frozen before the chill of old age.
Mr. Speaker, life is a golden ship, with sails of angels'
wings. It comes to the shore freighted with an assorted load
for mail to select from. Youth going for the gifts may select
roses with thorns, or the flowers of the fields, fragrant and
sweet. He may select jewels, rare and precious, or he may
load himself down with the baser metals, that will burden him
through all his days on earth. Who is to guide the untrained
hand that reaches for a share of the precious load? Someone
has said that life is a casket of jewels, and that God holds the
key. If this be true, and I believe it is, then God often un-
locks the casket and gives to mankind many rare jewels. Not
gifts to be kept and worn for all time, but gifts for a day, to
adorn and light the paths of the universe.
32 Address of Mr. Belknap, of Michigan, on the
The one day of lifi' giveu to the insect of the air is a life of
activity. 'V\w life of a season, or a brief year of a plant or
flower of the licld oi' forest, is a life of frajiranee anil useful-
ness to all uiaukiud. Tiie life of the birds of the air, brief in
years, is a life of song, of love foi' its young, and of thank
fulness to its Creator for the breath of life it is iierniitted to
have.
The life of man is also but a span, hut a brief atf»m of time;
but he who makes the most of that brief spaee lives the most,
aud best returns to his Creator renumeration for the jewels
out of the great and beautiful ship of life.
O Death! Hadst thou but spared the life that we this day
lament.
The sunset splendors, ladod now :ind ilcad;
So liuvc \vr seen flu- liii]ii's of youtli di'i'.ay ;
Oil, ruddy rose, tliat I'rst did blush so red I
Tliou, too, didst have too brit'l' a aummer'a day. •
The thought, Mr. Sjieaker, leads me baek to the day when he
was a youth, and set out to hew his way to a place among men ;
and thus do I sec him :
The sun had set.
Then lieanied the evening star lieyoud the erags.
The eveuinj; wind siftlied like a wearied ehild,
Aud ni^ht f<'ll liki' a mist upon the earth,
lie sank to sleep; liel'ori' him in his dreams
Three radiant tonus iu luuonlit beauty stood.
TjOVe, I'ortnue. I'auu:, were they; the tliri'e most fair
His eyes liad ever seen, or thought to see.
As, on the Mount of Ida years ajjo,
Three goddesses in jjodtless beauty stood,
()lyui]iiaii iu loveliness and jiiraee,
And b.ade the shepherd make his choice
The while they bribed him enviously vrith gifts.
.So stooil those railiaut forms upim the nu)uut,
Aud while till' moonbeams tremliled ou the steep,
As olt iu ancient times on l.atmos' heif^hts
They trembled ou r.ndynnou's snowy brow,
Addressed him as he lay iu sleep.
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 33
First Fdrtuuc spoki': "O. youth, chooso me," she cried;
"I know where ^olfl is hid, whose siiiiiiy shine
Is loved by all men more than they can tell.
I know where gems await my favorite;
Pure, lucent diamonds, glittcriuj; like stars.
Imperial ruliies, red as blood.
And all the lesser jewels, which to name
Were tedious task."
Then Love, blushing like the dawn.
Addressed him words caressingly :
"Choose me," she said, '-and happiness that lasts
Long as the constant stars shall be thy lot.
Sweet courtesy that makes one's life worth while,
That adds a grace to kings, and makes the serf
A mate for kings, shall brighten all thy days."
Then Fame took up the word, and with a smile:
"Choose Fortune, child?" she said; "she hath wings,
And flies away as lightly as she comes ;
And if she stay, what profit doth she bring?
She gives no honor : 'tis gold that wins when
Fortune takes her flight. Now tell me, pray,
Where be those cringing things of parasites
That fatten on a lordling's store?
Flown like a vulture when their feast is doni'.
And as for Love, I grant you she is fair;
So are the sunset days that fade to gray;
So is the wild rose that must wither sor>u;
So is the pebble shining in the stream:
Love is a dream, my child, a titful dream."
"O Fame! " he cried, '•! choose thee; thou art best."
And tlum he awoke. Pale star-shine on the crags.
And tli.at was all. Such was the dream.
He climbed adown the mountain side.
Unto the shores of the roaring sea,
Great billows with majestic onrush swept
Like a coni|uering army to the hostile shore.
Within a sheltered cove a pinnace lay,
Ei[uipj)ed for sea. and lifting \\y her chain
He stepped aboard and set sail.
All day he sailed and fainter grew the laud;
Night came, and one by one along the coast
The light-house 1)eacons flashed their messages,
Then one by one faded from bis sight.
H. Mis. 98 3
34 Address of Mr. Belknap^ of Michigan.
So Villi' anil forest, iiiouiit:iiii side and sea,
Weil' traversed in a hopeless search for fame,
Whose form appeared not, save in lli'ctin}; dreams.
When, after ealnis and storms upon the main
His vo.vape had reaehed tlie ocean's utmost hound,
Upon the shore he met an aged man,
To him tohl the story of his seareh.
"f>, joutli," the aj;ed man hiw-voieed replied,
"There is one more nolde than the • mystic three.'
Thoni;h fair is I'ortune with hiT yellow .nohl ;
Tlion};h sweet is I.ove if she hi' true;
Thou;;h };rand is Fame, and el(i(|Meiit her voice;
Kami', Fortune, Love, less nohh' all than one
Whose name is lluty. Serve her day liy day,
And happy if with chastenc<l life and |inre.
Thou (juit thyself as knifjlit of Duty ou^ht;
Fame, Fortune, Love, ami all that men bold dear,
Will follow surely as the azure sky.
For he who gives liis life at Duty's call,
Lives while he dies, and conquers iu defeat;
And he who loves the right more than all else,
Shall win at last the eternal crown of life."'
Theu can we, sa,v :
Cover the embers
And put (Uit the light ;
Toil comes with the morning
And rest with the night.
The book is complete
And closed like the day ;
And the hand that has written it
Lays it away.
On motion of Mr. Belknap, the resolutions were adopted;
and tlic lIou.se tlieu, in i)ursiiance thereof (at 4 o'clock \\. m.),
adjourned.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE.
December 22, 1891,
Mr. McMillan. I ask that the resohitious of the House of
Representatives lehitive to tlie death of my late colleague in
that House, Hon. Melbourne H. Ford, be laid before the
Senate.
The Vice-President. The Chair lays before the Senate the
resolutions of the House of Representatives, which will be
read.
The Secretary read as follows:
Whereas the House has hearil with profound soitow of the death of
Hon. MBLBoUitxE H. F()iu>, hite a Representative from the State of Mich-
igan: Therefore,
Resolved, That as a mark of r*-spect to his memory the House do now ad-
journ.
Hesolced, That the CUnk be directed to eouimunicate this action to the
Senate.
Mr. :McMillan. Mr. President, I oft'er the resolutions
which I send to the desk and ask for their adoption. I give
notice that I shall on some suitable occasion in the future ask
the Senate to pause in its business to pay fitting tribute to the
life and public services of my late colleague.
The Vice-President. The resolutions submitted by the
Senator from Michigan will be read.
The Secretary read the resolutions, as follows:
Resolved, That the Senate has heard witli deep sensibility the announce-
ment of the death of Hon. Mklbolrne H. Ford, late a Representative
from the State of Michifjan.
Resolved, That the Secr<^tary communicate this resolution to the House
of Representatives.
36 Proccediugs in ilu- Scuatc.
The Vice-Peesidknt. The question is on agreeiug to the
rcsdhitioiis.
The resohitiniis were afireod to iiiiiininiously.
]Mi'. ]M('MiLLAN. As ii fiutlier iiiaik of resjicrt to tlic mem-
oiy of the deceased, 1 move that tlic Senate do imw atljouin.
The motion was agreed to; and (at 1 oV.lock and 17 minutes
p. m.) tlie Senate adjourned until tomorrow, AVeduesday,
December 2;5, 18!tl, at 12 (("clock meridian.
I''E15RUARY 4, 1.S03.
Mr. Stockhridge." I ask that the message from the Ilcmse
of l{ei>resentatives announcing the death of Hon. IMelhoirxe
11. FoRU may be laid before the Senate.
The PRESii)iN(f Officer. Tlie message will be read.
The Secretary I'catl as follows :
Ix THR House m' Kkpheskntatives, AprW !), 1S92.
Urimlrcd, That tin- luisiiioas of tlio House 1)0 now suspeiideil. that oppor-
tunity may lie fjiveu for tiihutes to the memory <(f tlie Hon. XIei.hoCKXK
H. l"()ca>, late a Hepresentativo frcmi the State of Michigan.
liVKolicd, That as a i)articular mark of respeet to the memory of the de-
ce!i.se<l, and iu roeoifnitiou of his eminent abilities as a puhlic servant, the
House, at the <'oni'lusion of these memorial proci'cMliuj;s, shall stand ad-
journed.
Ilisolfril, Tliat tlio Clerli communieate these resolutions to tlie Senate.
l!)Si)lrctl, That the Clerk he instrueted to send .i eopy of these resolutions
to the family of the decea.scd.
Mr. STOCKBErDGE. 1 otVcr tlic icsdiutions wliicli 1 .scud ti>
the desk.
The Presiding Ofkk'eu. Tlie resolutions will be rettd.
The Secretary read as follow.s :
liiKiibid, That the Si'iiate reeeives with sincere rejjret the announcement
of the death of the Hon. MKl.noiitNK H. Ki>ia>. lati- ;i memlier of the
House of Ko|ireseiitatives froiri the State of .\lii'hij;aii, and tenders to the
family of the deceased the assurance of their sympathy with them undi-r
the liereaveincnt they have lioen calli-d upon to sustain.
llfKolrvil, That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to transmit to the
family of Mr. r<il!i> a ccrtilied copy of the foregoing resolution.
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 37
ADDRESS OF Mr. STOCKBRIDGE, OF MICHIGAN.
Mr. President, in the full tinsb of early ])rime, at tbe begin-
ning of what would have been a great career, and just after
a remarkable demonstration of the confidence reposed in him
by the i)e()])le of his State and district, Hon. Melbottrne
Haddock Ford, Representative in Congress from the Fifth
district of Michigan, was called from this earth.
It has fallen to the lot of but few of the many distinguished
men whom Michigan has sent to represent her in the Congress
of the United States to acquire such great and genuine popu-
larity with the masses of her people as that which was
awarded to the late Eepresentative Ford. His career was
short, but successful almost beyond precedent in the State's
political history. His death was sudden, but painless. His
funeral was an ovation to his memory.
It was my pleasure to be long and well acquainted with fhe
deceased Eepresentative. Although we were not of the same
]>olitical faith, and his signal and repeated successes were dis-
advantageous to the political organization of my association,
I shared in the general pride with which the people of Michi-
gan observed his steady advance to national distinction.
Mr. Ford was a native of the State he afterward honored in
public life and in whose service he died. He was V)orn at
Saline, Washtenaw County, Mich., June 30, 1849. It is un-
necessary to give the details of his youth or his younger man-
hood. In his boyhood he hail the hard labor and practical
experience incident to farm life. Afterward his parents re-
moved to Lansing, the capital of our State, and he was edu-
cated at the Agricultural College, located there.
He enlisted in the naval service of the country during the
38 Address of Mr. S/oc/chridi^i\ of Michigan^ on the
war, and served with fjallaiifiy for soiiictliiii;,^ over a year.
After liis return to liis lioine in Lansini;- lie was appointed,
through the favor of the lamented Hon. John \V. Longyear, of
Michigan, long a distinguislied Itei)reseutative in Congress,
to a p(»siti(tn as cadet in the Naval Academy at Annapolis.
An allection of the eyes prevented a conii»lction of his eour.se
at this institution, and undoubtedly changed his sub.sequeut
career.
Returning to ^fieliigan he was some time engaged as a drug-
gist in the city of Cluirlotte, but soon afterward he turned his
attention to the profession of piionogiaphy. He grew to bean
exjiert and one of the most successful shorthand writers in this
country. He was long engaged as stenographer in the higher
courts of western IMichigan. At the same time he studied law,
was admitted to the bar, and acquired some prominence as an
active practitioner. He was the author of "Ford's Legal Aualy-
sis," a small but staiulard legal work. After he had entered
political life he retired from the stenographic iiraetice and was
an active attorney at law. At the time of his death he was a
member of the well known (Jrand Rapids law firm of M. 'Garry
\- Ford.
3Ir. Ford was always ijojiular in thetnteriirising city which
he afterward represented in Congress. He was in many respects
tyjiical ol that remarkalile, bustling, energetic, and prosperous
city. His entry into political life was almost accidental, and
his remarkable success in the public service was achieved with-
out original intention or preparation for it. He was always an
active UKMuber of the Democratic party, and was in the fall of
1S,S4 <'iiairnuin of a city couvention to nominate candidates for
the legislature.
To his surprise, he was nominated by acclamation as the first
choice (»f the convention, and was hamlsnmely elected. It did
uot take Mr. Ford long to establish his position as a leader in
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 39
the Lesislatiiro.. His party was in the miuority, but it is no
discredit to his associates of the majority to say that he was a
genuine leader from the first day of the session. He entered
upon his duties with honesty and energy and carried them out
with enthusiasm aud ability. He was identified most promi-
nently in this session of the Legislature with an effort for the
restoration of capital puiushment in Michigan.
Capital punishment had been unpopular for a long time, aud
efforts for its restoration had theretofore been overwhelmingly
defeated, but Mr. Foud's effort was responsible for a great
alteration in public sentiment, and while his bill did not become
a law, he pressed it with such vigor that from that time there
has been a very material and recognized change in public opin-
ion upon the subject. Mr. Ford's experience and prominence
acquired in the Legislature led to his being early discussed as
a candidate for Congress in the fall of 1886. Although his
district went Republican on the general ticket that year, Mr.
Ford was elected to Congress by a very comfortable plurality.
Mr. Ford's service begau with the Fiftieth Congress, be-
fore the close of the first half of his term he had taken a very
prominent rank in the House of Eepresentatives. He had
been originally appointed on some of the most impoitant com-
mittees of that body, and was early in his service placed at
the head of a special committee of the House to investigate
the question of immigration, to which he had given much
attention for several years.
This committee visited important cities in all parts of the
country, acquired a mass of useful information, and made a
complete aud satisfactory report to the House. His work on
this committee and his efforts generally in Congress rendered
him very popular in his district. He was renoniinated for the
Fifty first 'Congress. In the election which followed the
Republican party swept the district and Mr. Ford was beaten
40 Address of Mr. S/oci-dridge, of Michigan, on the
by a very large majority, but his coiitinued ixijiularity was
demoustratfd by the lUit that he ran very tar aliead of liis
ticket. His defeat seemed only to emiihasize his popularity
ami to j;ivc liiin i-eiiewcil iiroiiiiiiciicc in liis party.
When the Legislature met, in the ensuing January, to ele(!t
a succcjssor to Hon. Thomas W. Palmer, in this body, Mr.
Melhouene Haddock Fobd received the complimentary vote
of all of tlie Democratic membfers of both houses of the Legis-
lature for that position.
In midsummer of 1890 ^Ir. Ford was made chairman of the
Democratic .State Convention held in the city of Grand liapids,
which nominated the tirst successful State ticket of that party
in the period of thirty-seveu years.
Tjater in the year he was, for a thiid time, nonunated by ac-
clamation for Congress. Notwithstanding his defeat of two
years before, he entered the campaign with great vigor and
spirit, and the popular confidence in him was once again dem-
onstrated by his overwhelming return as a Representative-
elect in the Fifty-second Congress. His position now seemed to
be secure. It was believed by his partisans and friends that
he was now to enter ujion a continuous and successful career
in the House of Representatives. He began faithfully pre-
paring himself for this work of his.
In the spring of isiil lie was chairman of the committee on
resolutions of the Democratic State Convention. This was his
last public service. On the 14th day of Ajjril, 1891, the people
of Orand Rapids and of the State of Michigan were univer-
sally shocked at the news of his sudden and altogether nnex
pected death. He passed away at the early age of 41, having
achieved unusual success and having come to a position of
foremost prominence in the affairs of his ( 'ommonwtaltli.
Mr. FOKD was generous, gallant, and chivalric'. lie was
brilliant, brave, a:id patriotii-. In publico life he lumond the
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 41
State wliii'li lionoreil him. His loss was keenly felt by the peo-
ple of bis eity, by his friends everywhere in Michigan, and by
his colleagues in the Congress of the United States, who had
hoped to renew the ac(iuaintance and enjoy the society of this
able, energetic, honest, and conscientious man.
All that was mortal of our late ass(jciate lies in a beautiful
grove dedicated to the dead, in the midst of that hive of life
and industry, the city of Grand Rapids. But we have abso-
lute faith in the divine assurance that we may hope that such
men do not fail to live again. Serene confidence in the future
life was a characteristic of our dead friend.
The first remarks tliat he ever made in Congress were upon
an occasion like this, when the House of Representatives paid
tribute to one of his dead associates fi-om our State. His ex-
pressions of hope and confidence in the continued life of that
dead colleague have a sweet savor to us now, for in his words
we can ouiselves express the faith that he will live again.
Sooner or later —
He said —
the Angel of Death comes to us all. That there Is a hereafter every man,
it seems to me, nmst believe. I can not conceive how anyone with
human instincts can think otherwise. If there exists a person who hon-
estly believes that when his eyes are closed in deatli nothing remains,
such a person is to be pitied. Wlien dust is rendered into dust is all
ended? No; I have something here in my innermost soul which tells me
that this life is not the end ; that beyond all this we have a wi<ler, a higher,
a nobler destiny. There lies in the human breast a something which says,
" That is not all." What an encouraging hope, what a divine thing it is
for this world, this belief in future existence !
42 Address of Mr. Daniel, of I 'irginin, on the
ADDRESS OF Mr. Daniel, of Virginia.
Mr. President, the cliaracttM- <if tlic liviii}; may he estimated
by the measure of respect wliieli tliey jtay to tlieir dead.
Human life is the most spleudid and most woinleifiil manifes-
tation of the ( "reator's power. Earth and heaven are manieil
in its beinj;-. It is the most sacred as it is the most l)eautiful
and interesting of all eartidy things. Its close, whether by the
slow degrees of fading strength, or by the sudden stroke of dis-
ease, or by the violent hand of force, is the most shocking and
apiialling of all tliecatastrophesof nature, and the most inscru-
table manifestation of our Creator's will.
VVe can not grow familiar with death. The distance between
us and it may be brief in fact, but it must ever seem remote
and far apart from us as long as we dwell in the land of the
living. Its mystery can not be i)enetrated. Itsdignitycan not
be belittled. We can not contemplate it save with awe and
reverence. We can never kTH)w, until at least tlu' veil is lifted,
the meaning of its dispensation. Yet we may trust and ho])e.
Day by day our friends dei)art. Here as members of small
bodies, like the House of Representatives and the Senate, we
witness as upon a narrow tteld the process of swift transitions
and dissolving scenes. Men chosen by the people, spirits vali-
ant, gifted with light and i)owexandi)rowess, come to discharge
their delegated mi.ssions. They deliverthcir messages ami dis-
appear. Some are retired by changes of poi)ular opinion, some
of their own volition, some by the final fate, but in a little while
all are gone.
Yet the scene is as busy as cvei- before. There are no vacant
chairs. Tlie great sti-eam of natural life flows with increasing
depth and volnmc, and few even of the greatest who have floated
Life and Cliaractcr of Melbourne H. Ford. 4o
on its surface le:tve beliind them any proud iiiDnuinent m- shin-
ing token of tbeirdays.
But it does not follow that their worlv was not important or
that it was not ably and faithfully i)erforn]ed.
It does not follow that their names are not worthy to he cher-
ished with gratitude and homage.
The deeds that hold society in cohesion and harmony and
guide its forces to increasing prosperity are those of the mass
that toil and think in their appropriate spheres. To do to-
day's work and let it go for its worth is not less the task of the
great than of the small. Whether it shine or no, whether it
be heralded or no, all the same it has become a factor for good,
and is having its influence in shaping, expanding, and pre-
serving the public weal.
Yesterday we mourned a sage of the Senate from my own
State who had suddenly vanished from our side full of years
and honors. To-day South J)akota, in the far ISTorthwest, and
South Carolina, the laud of the Piilmetto, have bent side by
side over their dead.
And now we mourn the young and brilliant son of Michigan,
who was stricken down like a knight on the lists, while his
fiery heart was all aglow with the fury of battle and his weap-
oned arm was lifted in the press of conflict.
Melbourne Haddock Ford was born in that young and
vigorous Commonwealth which sent him here, and which has
sent to our National Council so many statesmen full of the
intellectual force and social grace, and of the energy and ear-
nestness that have characterized its jirogressive and enlight-
ened civilization. He was a characteristic representative man
of that aspiring and achieving people, and his had been a busy
and eventful life.
Whatever his hand had found to do he had done witli his
might, and his brief career was crowded with deeds that be-
spoke his fertile genius.
44 Address of Mr. Daniel^ of I 'irginia^ on the
Born ill lS4!t, lie hiid hastcMUMl while yet a hoy to ln'coiiic a
ileft'iuU'r of the llaj;- that Hoatetl over liis people, and wliiili
was sent forth to battle. I respect him for it. He entered the
naval service just before the close of the ci\il war with tlic
enthusiasm of the ingenious youth who throughout this land
heard the drum beat, and instinctively sought the lanks.
As he laid aside th<^ sword and the echoes of strife died away,
he took up the general tasks, the love, the hojte of jieaee. and
its constructive duties. A clerk, a druggist, a steuogra])lier.
a lawyer, an author, a politician, a State legislator, twice a
member of Congress, the choice of his party for United .States
Senator and receiviug its support — these successive rounds of
the ladder he mounted — and wliilc his faee t'nll of ho|(e still
looked upward, and his strong hand was stretched ui)ward, lo I
death touched him and he fell. Warm affections and great
intt'rests and high hopes concentrated their dreams around
him, which now, alas! can only pour Iheir sori-ows upon his all
too early tomb.
I can not speak of Mr. Ford from the standpoint of intimate
association with him. To iccite his|)rivate \irtuesis the pleas-
ing i)ait of those who knew him better than myself and it has
been well performed, lint this I observe in his career that
discloses his character on its marked and stronger features.
Success had rewarded his efforts — he had been a member of
the State Legishiture, and theu of the House of Kepresenta-
tives in the Fittieth Congress. In that Congress he took de-
cided positions upon juiblic issues.
Some of his views were unpopular. He was defeated and
relcgateil to jirivute life. The- spell of his successive victories
was broken. But, nothing daunted, he reentered the political
tield in 1S9(>. He lirmly and IxJdly advocated the doctrines
which commanded his loyal convictions. The iieo])lediscoveied
ill him the staunch, true, leailer; and now triumphing upon
Life and Character of Melbourne H. Ford. 45
the field that he had lost, he was reelected a member of the
Fifty-second Congress of the United States. Well, might vre
apply to him the warrior's boast :
Call me not slmmeil who am Imt overthrown;
Thiowii have 1 been, not once but many a time.
Victor from vanquished issues at the last,
And overthrower from being overthrown.
Before that Congress assembled the victor was dead npon
his shield. This I observed in Mr. Ford wliile he was in the
public service here.
He was full of push and energy, and grasped his duties with
a comprehending mind and a firm, industrious hand.
He seemed tireless in his efforts to press to success the
measures confided to his care. I saw him on his appearance
before committees and in his tasks upon the rioor of the House.
I realized that there was a man in earnest, no trifler with tilings
he had to deal with, a spirit resolute and restless, determined
to do or die. '
I shall not prolong this poor and imperfect tribute save to
add this thought: Mr. Ford belonged to that class of thought-
ful, courageous, industrious men — well informed, justly am-
bitious, with high ideals and patriotic jturposes, who correctly
interpret the genius of this day and generation, and who are
destined to lead and mold it.
The freshness of youth was in his mind and heart. He bore
upon his soul no burdens from the past which so lacerated it as
to impair its generous impulses; and he entertained no preju-
dices which belittled his stature, clouded his reason, or im-
peded liis pathway.
Had he lived his career would have shed larger honor upon
the State which gave him to the service of the nation, and
grown into greater brightness around his name.
Cut off even as he ripened for the great tasks that kindled
4t) Address of Mr. McMillan., of Michigan., on the
Ills {jeiii'is and his ainbitioii, we can but how to the wisdom
and jtower of our Maker who has so decreed anil say, "Tliy
will be done." Yet we take to heart the lesson that is left to
enrich our annals in the life of this noble young American
statesman, who followed his faith with fidelity, who did ids
deed with courage, and who now released from labor, sleeps
well.
ADDRESS OF Mr. McMillan, of Michigan.
Mr. President, at tlic capital of the nation and in the lialls
of Congress more than anywhere else the fact of man's mor-
tality is impressed ui)on tlie mind. Seemingly few and brief are
the intervals when from all tlie public buildings and from the
doors of both the House and tlic Senate the black badge of
m<»urning is absent. Today the SiMiate has been called to pay
its tribute of respect to tlic memory of a young man, a man who
was apparently just entering on a career of large u.sefulness
to his State and nation. Trained at the Naval Academy for
service in the great struggle, the war was ended before he
could see active duty.
The return of peace led Mr. Ford to seek success in civil
life. Ilis brightness and industry are suHicieiitly indicated
when it is said that he attained a liigh reputation in the ditli
cult and laborious profession of st<'nograi)hy. His i)opularity
led to his election as a member of the Michigan State Legisla-
ture, and his service there was of .so satisfactoi-y a character
as to lead the people of the Fifth district, which includes the
great manufacturing and commercial city of Grand liapids,
to senil him to the Hou.>*e of Representatives.
During his first term in that body he attracted the atten-
ticm of the country to his work in investigating tlie subject of
Life and Character of Melbourne II. Ford. 47
ijiimigration. Defeated tor lei-krtioii, after an interval of two
years lie was again elected to Congress, but died before lie
could take liis seat. The esteem in wliieli he was held by his
own party throughout the State was shown by the fact that
four years ago he was the caucus nominee of the Democratic
members of the Legislature for the oflQce of United States
Senator.
Such in brief is the record of a man who had crowded into
the forty-two years of his life experiences remarkably varied.
The death of such a man is a loss to his State, and in Mich-
igan the mourning for liim was widespread. In the beautiful
city of Grand Eapids, where Mr. Ford made his home, the
grief was deep and sincere.
It is fitting, therefore, that the Senate put on record its ap-
preciation of Mr. Ford's services in behalf of his State and
his country ; and although my own personal acquaintance
with him was slight, I appreciate the opportunity to pay this
tribute to the worth of one whose reputation is a source of
ride to every citizen of Michigan.
Mr. President, I move the adoption of the resolutions.
The resolutions were unanimously agTeed to.
r
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